The St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute Marauders will head out to square off against the Orchard Park Quakers at 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
Tuesday just wasn't the day for St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute's offense. They took a 5-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of Bishop Timon-St. Jude on Tuesday. The Marauders have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute got a good showing from Matthew Anzalone, who struck out seven batters over 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits (and not a single walk). What's more, Anzalone gave up only zero walks, the fewest he's had since back in April of 2024.
Meanwhile, Orchard Park posted their closest victory since May 9, 2024 on Thursday. They won by a run and slipped past West Seneca West 5-4. The Quakers haven't had any issues with the Warhawks recently, as the game was their eighth consecutive win against them.
Zach Nalawadi made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 11 batters over five innings while giving up just two earned runs off one hit. Nalawadi was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Those three RBI gave him a new career-high.
Nalawadi wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Brody Monaco, who went 1-for-2 with one run.
St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute's defeat dropped their record down to 2-4. As for Orchard Park, they now have a winning record of 3-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Orchard Park struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute couldn't quite get it done against Orchard Park in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 as they fell 9-4. Can the Marauders avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
